File holder

ABSTRACT

A file holder including a base panel, opposed, spaced front and back walls extending generally upwardly from the base panel, and a pair of opposed side walls extending generally upwardly from the base panel and generally diverging away from one another. The file holder defines a storage space above the base panel and generally between the front and back walls and between the side walls, and the storage space is narrower near the base panel than near the top edges of the side panels. Each of the side walls includes a cut-out portion.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. design patent application Ser. No. 29/225,605, filed on Mar. 18, 2005, the entire specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure is generally directed to file storage devices, and more particularly to stackable and nestable file holders.

2. Related Technology

File storage devices have traditionally included generally cube-shaped, crate-type devices which may be used to store and/or transport file folders. These storage devices may be constructed of wood, plastic, metal, or other suitable material or combination of materials. Mostly, these storage devices are small enough to be carried by a single person with both hands and may include handles or holes-on the sides for grasping.

A significant drawback to these storage devices from a retail sales point of view occurs in bulk transportation and display of these storage devices for sale. Because such storage devices are typically made to hold a plurality of file folders, they may consist mostly of empty space, surrounded by four or more walls and a bottom. During bulk transportation from the manufacturer to the retailer, the volume of empty space within the storage device may be lost to the shipper and may result in a higher per unit cost to the retailer.

In an attempt to solve the problems mentioned above, storage devices have been designed which may nest with one another, thereby reducing the potentially empty volume during shipping. These designs, while at least partially successful in reducing lost transportation volume, are generally nested by inverting or rotating one storage device and inserting it partially into a like storage device. Therefore, the recovery of empty space is very limited in that only two such storage devices may be nested together.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A file holder includes a base panel and front and back walls spaced apart and opposed relative to one another. A pair of side walls are spaced apart and opposed relative to one another, and disposed between the front and back walls. Each side wall includes a cut out portion. The base panel, front, back and side walls define a storage space therebetween that is larger near top edges of the side walls than near bottom edges of the side walls because the side walls generally diverge away from one another from the bottom edges of the side walls to the top edges of the side walls.

Further details of the file holder of the present disclosure may be appreciated with reference to the several views of the drawings, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a file holder constructed according to the teachings of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the file holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the file holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the file holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the file holder of FIG. 1 including file folders disposed therein;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the file holder of FIG. 1 partially nested with a like file holder;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the file holder of FIG. 1 nested with a like file holder;

FIG. 7 is a close up view of the top of a sidewall of the file holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another file holder constructed according to the teachings of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of yet another file holder constructed according to the teachings of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The disclosure is generally directed to file holders, hereinafter described as “holders”, for storing files, documents, and the like, in a generally vertical orientation. The disclosed holders nest with one another in a stacked configuration that reduces the amount of retail display shelf space, shipping space, and storage space required for multiple holders. Additionally, the disclosed holders nest with a plurality of similar holders so that when packaged and shipped or when on display for sale to consumers or stacked in a given location for use, the holders take up relatively little shelf space and much less space than traditional holders of a similar type. Relative terms, such as front, back, vertical, horizontal, up, down, top, bottom, etc. are used only to describe elements as oriented in the drawings and are not meant to be limiting of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a holder 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. In this example, the holder 10 is intended to hold letters, files, hanging file folders, papers, and the like in a generally vertical orientation.

The holder 10 has a generally horizontally oriented base panel 12 including front and back edges 14, 16 and side edges 18, a back panel 20 having a bottom edge 22 coupled to and extending generally upwardly from the back edge 16 of the base panel 12. A front panel 24 has a bottom edge 26 that is coupled to and extends generally upwardly from the front edge 14 of the base panel 12. The holder 10 also has a pair of spaced apart and opposed side walls 28. The side walls 28 span between respective side edges of the back panel 20 and respective side edges of the front panel 24.

In this embodiment, a storage space 32 is defined by the space above the base panel 12, between the front panel 24, the back panel 20 and the side walls 28. A top opening 34 is formed between top edges of the front and back-panels 24, 20 and top edges of the side walls 28. The top opening 34 permits insertion into and/or removal from the storage space 32 of documents, file folders, other holders and the like.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the holder 10, a rear elevational view being a mirror image thereof. The front panel 24 includes a generally arcuate top edge 36. The top edge 36 in this example is ideally concave in shape with respect to the base panel 12, but alternate shapes are possible. For example, the top edge 36 could be substantially straight or convex with respect to the base panel 12. The curvature of the top edge 36 adds strength and rigidity to the holder 10. Additionally, the concave shape of the top edge 36 allows a user to view a portion of the file folder or document disposed in the storage space 32. The front panel 24 also includes a window 38, which is generally arch shaped in this embodiment. Like the top edge 36, the window 38 may be virtually any size or shape depending on user appeal, or the window 38 may be eliminated altogether. The window 38 reduces the weight of the holder 10 and reduces material required for manufacture.

The base panel 12 includes a plurality of protrusions or feet 40 disposed on a bottom surface 42 thereof. The feet 40 may be integrally formed with the base panel 12 or may be attached to the bottom surface 42. Regardless, the feet 40 each are substantially the same thickness as one another, thereby providing a stable and level support for the holder 10 when the holder 10 is placed on a surface. Of course, the feet 40 of this example could be eliminated without affecting the functionality of the holder 10.

Vertical protrusions or ribs 44 are disposed on an outer surface of the side walls 28 and function as nesting stops when like holders are nested together for transportation or display. The protrusions or ribs 44 extend generally outwardly from the side walls 28 proximate the top edges of the side walls 28. The ribs 44 are generally trapezoidal in shape and wider near a top edge than near a bottom edge 46 thereof. As will be discussed further with respect to FIG. 6A, the bottom edges 46 of the ribs 44 contact and bear against the top edges of the side walls 28 of a like holder 10 when two or more holders are nested together.

In this embodiment, the side walls 28 generally include two sections, an upper section 48 which is substantially perpendicular to the base panel 12 and a lower section 50 which tapers with respect to the base panel 12. The two side walls 28 taper in a manner that produces a storage space 32 that is narrower proximate the base panel 12 than proximate the top edges of the side walls 28. The upper and lower sections 48, 50 are joined at a transition point 52. Above the transition point 52, the side walls 28 are generally perpendicular to the base panel 12 and below the transition point 52, the side walls 28 taper inwardly.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the holder 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The side walls 28 may include one or more cut-out portions 54 similar to the windows 38 in the front and back walls 24, 20. The cut-out portions 54 in the side walls 28 allow the lower corners of a file folder or document disposed in the storage space 32 to extend outward beyond the side walls 28. This feature, which is evident in FIG. 5, allows the side walls 28 to taper inwardly thereby providing the nesting ability with similar holders 10 while, at the same time, allowing generally rectangular objects to be disposed in the storage space 32.

Additionally, the ribs 44 are disposed on the side walls 28 proximate the top edges thereof and spaced apart from one another. The ribs 44 are separated by a ledge 56. The ledge 56 provides a support structure for file folders disposed in the storage space 32 and a hand hold for a user to grasp during transportation of the holder 10. The ledge 56 is disposed generally between the ribs 44 and is oriented generally perpendicularly to the ribs 44 and/or generally parallel to the base panel 12.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the holder 10. In this example the windows 38 of the front and back panels 24, 20 extend at least partially into the base panel 12 forming voids 58 and give the front and back edges 14, 16 of the base panel 12 curved edges 60. These voids 58 reduce the amount of material required to manufacture the holder 10 and thus the weight of the holder 10. Further, a top surface 62 of the ledge 56 extends outwardly from the respective side wall 12. In addition to the ledge 56, a rim extends laterally outwardly from the top edges of the front and back walls 24, 20 and the pair of side walls 28 forming a continuous lip 64 around the top of the holder 10. However, the lip 64 need not be continuous and may be eliminated if desired.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the holder 10 of FIGS. 1-4 including a plurality of file folders 66 disposed in the storage space 32. Ears of the file folders 66 rest on and are supported by the top 62 of the ledge 56 and the top edges of the side walls 28. Additionally, lower corners of the file folders 66 protrude beyond the lower sections 50 of the side walls 28. Thus, a file folder 66 which is substantially rectangular in shape and substantially the same width as the top of the holder 10 may be disposed within the storage space 32 of the holder without folding, or otherwise altering shape of the file folder 66. Moreover, a portion of the file folder 66 extending beyond the lower section 50 of the side walls 16 is viewable by a user and may be marked, labeled, or otherwise coded, for easy identification.

FIG. 6A illustrates two similar holders 10 in a partially nested condition. A first holder 10 is partially inserted into the storage space 32′ of a second holder 10′. In this configuration, the side walls 28 and front and back walls 24, 20 of the first holder 10 are positioned substantially between the side walls 28′ and front and back walls 24′, 20′ of the second holder 10′. As the first holder 10 is lowered into the storage space 32′ of the second holder 10′, the bottom edges 46 of the ribs 44 of the first holder 10 approach the top edges of the side walls 28′ of the second holder 10′. Moving the first holder 10 further into the storage space 32′, a second nested condition is approached and illustrated in FIG. 6B. In this second, nested configuration, the bottom edges 46 of the ribs 44 of the first holder 10 rest on the top of and bear against the top of the side walls 28′ of the second holder 10′. This feature prevents the first holder 10 from becoming frictionally locked with the second holder 10′ in the nested condition.

FIG. 7 is a close up view of one rib 44 and a portion of the ledge 56. The rib 44 protrudes generally outwardly from the side walls 28, from the top of the side wall 28 to a position near top of the window 54. The rib 44 tapers from top to bottom and is narrower near its bottom edge 46. The ledge 56 also extends generally outwardly from the side walls 28 and is generally parallel to the top edge of the side wall 28 and to the continuous lip 64.

FIG. 8 illustrates another holder 110 constructed in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure. The holder 110 includes a generally horizontally oriented base panel 112, a back panel 120 with a bottom edge 122 that is coupled to and extends generally upwardly from a back edge 116 of the base panel 112 and a front panel 124 with a bottom edge 126 that is coupled to and extends generally upwardly from a front edge 114 of the base panel 112. The holder 10 has a pair of spaced apart and opposed side walls 128. The side walls 128 generally span between the back panel 120 and the front panel 124. In a manner similar to the holder described above, the holder 110 of FIG. 8 defines a storage space 132 above the base panel 112, between the front panel 124, the back panel 120 and the side walls 128.

In this example, the back panel 120 has a greater height than the front panel 124. Thus, the top edges of the side walls 128 taper generally downward toward the front panel 124 and, in this example, tapers incrementally, forming a series of generally parallel, but vertically offset support ledges 168. At the forward end of each support ledge 168 is an upward protrusion or stop 170. Hanging file folders disposed in the storage space 132 partially rest on the support ledges 168 and are prevented from falling to the next lower support ledge 168 by the protrusion or stop 170. In this manner, hanging file folders stored in the holder 10 cascade and allow a user to view portions of multiple folders at the same time. A front lip 172 extends outward from the top edge of the front panel 124 and partially along each side wall 128. The front lip 172 acts as the stop 170 for the forward-most support ledge 168. The holder 110 of FIG. 8 receives file folders and nests in a manner similar to the holder 10 of FIGS. 1-7.

FIG. 9 is yet another embodiment of a holder 210 constructed in accordance with the disclosure. The holder 210 includes a front panel 224 and a back panel 220 spaced apart from one another and connected by a pair of spaced apart side walls 228. Each of the front and back panels 224, 220 and the side walls 228 diverge away from one another from respective top edges thereof towards respective bottom edges thereof defining a storage area 232 that is smaller near a top of the holder 210 than near a bottom of the holder 210. The holder 210 also includes a top opening 234 for insertion of documents, file folders and the like and a bottom opening 274 for nesting with like holders 210.

Each side wall 228 has a ledge 256 disposed thereon which is substantially parallel to the upper edge of the side wall 228. Further, the ledge 256 differs from previously described ledges in that the ledge 256 is formed from a recess or cutout in the side wall 228 instead of a rib or protrusion. Ears of a file folder rest on and are supported by the ledge 256. Unlike previous embodiments, the holder 210 of FIG. 9 nests with like holders 210 by inserting a first holder 210 into the storage area 232 of a second holder 210 through the bottom opening 274 of the second holder 10. The front panel 224, back panel 220 and side walls 228 each include a generally arcuate bottom edge, although other shapes are acceptable and do not affect the functionality of the holder 210.

While the disclosed embodiments are generally manufactured from molded plastic, the holders can, of course, be constructed from virtually any material and by virtually any manufacturing process. For example, the holders may be constructed from polystyrene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, engineering grade plastic, ABS, TPE, thermoplastics, metal, wood, organic materials, leather, glass and/or combination thereof. One example of the holder may be manufactured of plastic through an injection molding process. During injection molding, the windows in the front and back panels may be molded as shutoffs while the windows in the side walls may be cut out after the molding process. Of course, the windows in the side walls may also be molded as shutoffs during the molding process. The material and method of manufacture may be chosen by one skilled in the art according to desired features, cost, and/or ease of manufacture, among other considerations.

The disclosed holders improve upon maximizing retail shelf space, accommodate variable shelf space and configurations, and enhance product nesting for shipping, stock storage, and display for sale. Product nesting is accomplished by stacking each holder vertically upward relative to its preceding holder in a stack. The stacked holders can be displayed and shipped without damage to the product due to scuffing, scratching, and the like because the products will be tightly nested. Additional packing between adjacent holders can be negated.

Additionally, freight cube size can be optimized and significantly reduced utilizing the disclosed nested holder configuration. Products shipped in bulk can be directly unloaded from the master carton or shipping box onto a shelf. No additional reorientation of the product may be necessary, making the merchandiser's handling of the product easier. The nested holders also assist in retaining the displayed holders on a retail shelf space. The holders also look more organized when nested as disclosed herein. This reduces the amount of work required by both customers and merchandisers to keep the shelf displays organized and arranged. An organized shelf space may effect the perception of the consumer and influence his or her decision to buy the displayed products.

Further, because more product can be displayed for sale in a given amount of shelf space, less restocking time and stocking space is necessary for the retailer. Having more product available and on display for sale at any one time reduces the frequency of an item appearing to be out of stock, which can prevent a consumer from leaving the establishment to go elsewhere to find the desired product.

Although certain holders that are nestable have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of the appended claims is not limited thereto. On the contrary, the claims cover all embodiments of the teachings of this disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents. 

1. A file holder comprising: a base panel having a rear edge, a front edge, a pair of opposed side edges, and an upper surface; a front wall and a back wall spaced apart and opposed relative to one another, the front and back walls extending generally upwardly from the front and rear edges of the base panel; a pair of side walls spaced apart and opposed relative to one another, each side wall generally diverging away from one another in a direction away from the base panel; and a storage space defined above the base panel and generally between the front wall, the back wall and the side walls, wherein the storage space is narrower near the base panel than near top edges of the side walls and wherein each side wall includes a cut-out portion.
 2. The file holder of claim 1, wherein the side walls include a top ledge that is substantially parallel to the base panel.
 3. The file holder of claim 1, wherein each side wall includes a vertical rib.
 4. The file holder of claim 3, wherein the vertical rib extends generally outwardly from the side wall and extends farther outward near the top edge of the side wall.
 5. The file holder of claim 4, wherein the vertical rib further includes a bottom edge that engages and bears against the top edge of the side wall of a second like file holder when the two holders are stacked in a nested configuration.
 6. The file holder of claim 1, including a window disposed on at least one of the front wall and the back wall.
 7. The file holder of claim 6, wherein the window protrudes at least partially into the base panel thereby forming an inwardly recessed edge on the base panel.
 8. The file holder of claim 1, wherein a lower surface of the base panel includes a foot.
 9. The file holder of claim 8, wherein the foot is an integral part of the base panel.
 10. The file holder of claim 8, wherein the foot is attached to the lower surface of the base panel.
 11. The file holder of claim 1, wherein the side walls include a notch horizontally disposed near the top edge of the side walls.
 12. The file holder of claim 1, wherein a first file holder is disposed substantially within the storage space of a second file holder and wherein a bottom edge of a vertical rib that extends outward from each side wall of the first file holder contacts a top edge of each side wall of the second file holder when the first and second file holders are stacked with one another in a nested configuration.
 13. The file holder of claim 1, further including a rim which extends laterally outwardly from top edges of the side walls, a top edge of the front wall and a top edge of the back wall forming a continuous lip extending around a top of the file holder.
 14. The file holder of claim 13, wherein the continuous lip includes a notched portion proximate the top edge of the side wall.
 15. The file holder of claim 1, wherein the file holder is manufactured from a material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, engineering grade plastic, ABS, TPE, thermoplastics, metal, wood, organic materials, leather, glass and any combination thereof.
 16. A file holder comprising: a base panel having a rear edge, a front edge, a pair of opposed side edges, an upper surface, and a lower surface; front and back walls spaced apart and opposed relative to one another, the front and back walls extending generally upwardly from the front and rear edges of the base panel; a pair of side walls spaced apart and opposed relative to one another, the side walls generally diverging away from one another moving upwardly away from the base panel; and a storage space defined above the base panel and generally between the front and back walls and between the side walls, wherein the side walls each include a cut-out portion, wherein the storage space is narrower near the base panel than near the top edges of the side walls, and wherein the top edges of the side walls include a plurality of generally parallel and vertically offset support ledges.
 17. The file holder of claim 16, wherein the back wall has a greater height than the front wall.
 18. The file holder of claim 17, wherein a first support ledge in the plurality of support ledges is proximate the top edge of the front wall and a second support ledge in the plurality of support ledges is proximate the top edge of the rear wall.
 19. The file holder of claim 18, wherein the plurality of support ledges includes at least one intermediate support ledge positioned between the first support ledge and the second support ledge.
 20. The file holder of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of support ledges is sized and shaped to receive and support a portion of a hanging file folder partially disposed within the storage space.
 21. The file holder of claim 20, wherein when a plurality of file folders are received therein, each of the plurality of file folders is supported by a respective pair of the support ledges and the plurality of file folders are displayed in a cascading manner, whereby at least a portion of each of the plurality of file folders is simultaneously visible.
 22. The file holder of claim 16, wherein at least one support ledge in the plurality of support ledges includes an upward protrusion near one end thereof.
 23. The file holder of claim 22, wherein the upward protrusion is positioned near a front end of the support ledge.
 24. A file holder comprising: front and back walls spaced apart and opposed relative to one another; a pair of side walls spaced apart and opposed relative to one another, the pair of side walls disposed between the front and back walls and generally perpendicular to the front and back walls; and a storage space between the front wall, the back wall and the side walls, wherein the storage space is smaller near a top edge of the side walls than near a bottom edge of the side walls and wherein the side walls generally diverge away from one another from the top edge of the side walls to the bottom edge of the side walls.
 25. The file holder of claim 24, wherein a first file holder is stackable and nestable with a second like file holder by inserting the first file holder into a lower opening of the second file holder and wherein the first file holder is partially contained within the storage space of the second file holder. 